ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Human papilloma virus (HPV), the causative agent for cervical cancer, can be tested for using self-collected vaginal samples. Self-collection is promising for HPV screening in hard-to-reach populations. To assess the relationship between willingness to self-collect and subsequent uptake of self-collection, we conducted a longitudinal study of reproductive-age women in rural Malawi. METHODS: At baseline, we asked women if they would be willing to self-collect a vaginal sample for HPV testing. At follow-up (12-18 months later), we offered the same women the opportunity to self-collect a sample for HPV testing. We examined unadjusted and adjusted associations between baseline willingness to self-collect a sample for HPV testing and uptake of self-collection at follow-up using log-binomial models. RESULTS: Among 122 women who, at baseline, indicated willingness to self-collect, n = 65 (53%) agreed to self-collect a sample at follow-up. Of 64 women who stated unwillingness at baseline to self-collect, n = 30 (47%) self-collected a sample for testing at follow-up. We observed no association between women's willingness at baseline and their observed self-collection decision at follow-up (unadjusted prevalence ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-1.55). The association remained null after adjustment for age, awareness of cervical cancer, and perceived behavioral control. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that evaluation of acceptability of self-collection should go beyond simply asking women if they would be willing to self-collect a vaginal sample. Given that half of this study's participants agreed to self-collect a sample when the opportunity was offered, regardless of their previously stated preferences, self-collection should be offered to everyone.